Experiment 7 Lab Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE2208: Electrical Machines 1 Laboratory

Title: Study of a Single-Phase Transformer

Introduction:
A Transformer is a static electrical device that transfers energy by inductive
coupling between its winding circuits. A varying current in the primary winding creates a
varying magnetic flux in the transformer's core and thus a varying magnetic flux through the
secondary winding. This varying magnetic flux induces a varying electromotive force
or voltage in the secondary winding. Transformers can be used to vary the relative voltage of
circuits or isolate them, or both. The objective of this experiment is to study the voltage and
current ratios of a transformer and to learn about transformer exciting currents, volt ampere
capacity and short circuit currents.
The purpose of this experiment is to study the voltage and current ratios of a transformer and
to learn about transformer exciting currents, volt ampere capacity and short circuit currents.
Theory and Methodology:
A transformer can be defined as a static device which helps in the transformation of electric
power in one circuit to electric power of the same frequency in another circuit. The voltage
can be raised or lowered in a circuit, but with a proportional increase or decrease in the
current ratings.
The main principle of operation of a transformer is mutual inductance between two circuits
which is linked by a common magnetic flux. A basic transformer consists of two coils that
are electrically separate and inductive, but are magnetically linked through a path of
reluctance. The working principle of the transformer can be understood from the figure
below.

Figure 7.1: Transformer Construction

As shown above the transformer has primary and secondary windings. The core laminations
are joined in the form of strips in between the strips you can see that there are some narrow
Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 7 Lab Manual

gaps right through the cross-section of the core. These staggered joints are said to be
imbricated. Both the coils have high mutual inductance. A mutual electro-motive force is
induced in the transformer from the alternating flux that is set up in the laminated core, due
to the coil that is connected to a source of alternating voltage. Most of the alternating flux
developed by this coil is linked with the other coil and thus produces the mutual induced
electro-motive force. The so produced electro-motive force can be explained with the help of
Faradays laws of Electromagnetic Induction as
e=-N*d/dt
If the second coil circuit is closed, a current flows in it and thus electrical energy is
transferred magnetically from the first to the second coil.
The alternating current supply is given to the first coil and hence it can be called as the
primary winding. The energy is drawn out from the second coil and thus can be called as the
secondary winding.
When a transformer is in operation, ac currents flow in its windings and an alternating
magnetic field is set up in the iron core. As a result, copper and iron losses are produced
which represents active power (watts) and causes the transformer to heat up. Establishing a
magnetic field requires reactive power (vars) which is drawn from the power line. For these
reasons the total power delivered to the primary winding is always slightly larger than the
total power delivered by the secondary winding. However, a close approximation used for
most transformers is,
a) Primary power (watts) = Secondary power (watts)
b) Primary voltamperes (VA) = Secondary voltamperes (VA)
c) Primary vars = Secondary vars
When the primary voltage is raised beyond its rated value, the iron core (laminations) begins
to saturate, and the magnetizing (exciting) current increases rapidly.
Transformers are subject to accidental short circuits caused by natural and manmade
disasters. The short-circuit currents can be very large and, unless interrupted, will quickly
burn out a transformer. It is the purpose of this Laboratory Experiment to show these major
points.
Pre-Lab Homework: Read about the theory regarding single phase transformer from your
theory reference book, mentioned by your respective theory faculty. Draw open circuit
characteristics (magnetization curve) on a paper and bring it in the lab. Compare the wave
shapes given in the text book with your results which you will find out at the end of this lab.
Apparatus:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Single-Phase Transformer
AC Ammeter
AC Voltmeter
Power Supply
Connection Leads
Analog Multimeter

Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 7 Lab Manual

Precautions:
High voltages are present in this Laboratory Experiment! Do not make any connections
with the power on! The power should be turned off after completing each individual
measurement!
Experimental Procedure:
1. Examine the construction of the Single-Phase Transformer paying particular attention to
the transformer, the connection terminals and the wiring.
a) The transformer core is made up of thin sheets (laminations) of steel.
Identify it.
b) Note that the transformer windings are brought out to terminals mounted on the
transformer coil.
c) Note that these windings are then wired to the connection terminals mounted on the
module face.
2. Identify the three separate transformer windings marked on the module face:
a) List the rated voltage for each of the three windings:
Terminals 1 to 2 =
Vac, Terminals 3 to 4 =
Vac, Terminals 5 to 6 =
b) List the rated voltage between the following connection terminals:

Vac

Terminals 3 to 7 = Vac, Terminals 7 to 8 = Vac, Terminals 8 to 4 = Vac, Terminals 3

to 8 = Vac, Terminals 7 to 4 = Vac, Terminals 5 to 9 = Vac, Terminals 9 to 6 =
Vac.
c) List the rated current for each of the following connections:
Terminals 1 to 2 = ____A ac, Terminals 3 to 4 = ____A ac, Terminals 5 to 6 = ____ A ac,
Terminals 3 to 7 = ____ A ac, Terminals 8 to 4 = ____A ac.
3. Using the lowest range of your Analog Multimeter measure and record the dc resistance of
each winding:
Terminals 1 to 2 =
, Terminals 3 to 4 = , Terminals 3 to 7 = , Terminals 7 to 8 =
,
Terminals 8 to 4 = , Terminals 5 to 6 = , Terminals 5 to 9 = , Terminals 9 to 6 =
.
4. You will now measure the unloaded secondary voltages with 240 V ac applied to the
primary winding.
a) Connect the circuit shown in Figure 7-2.

Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 7 Lab Manual

Figure 7-2
b) Turn on the Power Supply and adjust for 240 V ac as indicated by the Voltmeter across the
Power Supply terminals 4 and N.
c) Measure and record the output voltage E2.
d) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.
e) Repeat (b, c and d) measuring the output voltage E2 for each of the listed windings.
f) Winding 1 to 2 = Vac, Winding 3 to 4 = Vac, Winding 5 to 6 = Vac, Winding 3 to 7
= Vac, Winding 7 to 8 = Vac, Winding 8 to 4 = Vac, Winding 5 to 9 = Vac, Winding
9 to 6 = Vac.
5. a) Do your measured voltages correspond well with the rated values? Explain.
b) Could you measure the value of magnetizing (exciting) current? Explain.
6. Windings 1 to 2 and 5 to 6 each have 1200 turns of wire. Winding 3 to 4 has 2073 turns.
Calculate the following turn ratios:
Winding 1 to 2
------------------- =
Winding 5 to 6

Winding 1 to 2
------------------- =
Winding 3 to 4

7. a) Connect the circuit shown in Figure 7.3. Notice that current meter 12 short-circuits
winding 5 to 6.

Figure 73
b) Turn on the Power Supply and gradually increase the voltage until the short-circuit current
12 is 0,2A ac.
Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 7 Lab Manual

c) Measure and record E1 and I1.
I1 = ____Aac
E1 = ____Vac
d) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.
e) Calculate the current ratio:
I1/I2 = ---f) Is this current ratio equal to the turns ratio? Explain.
8. a) Connect the circuit shown in Figure 7-4. Notice that winding 3 to 4 is short-circuited by
the 0-0.25 A AC Ammeter.
b) Turn on the Power Supply and gradually increase the voltage until the current I, through
the primary winding is 0.2 A ac.

Figure 7-4
c) Measure and record I3 and E1.
d) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.
e) Calculate the currerit ratio: I1/ I3 = ---f) Is this current ratio equal to the inverse of the turns ratio?

9. You will now determine the effect of core saturation on the exciting current of a
transformer.
a) Connect the circuit shown in Figure 7-5. Notice that Power Supply terminals 4 and 5 are
now being used. These terminals will provide variable 0 to 415 V ac.
b) Turn on the Power Supply and adjust for 50 V ac as indicated by the AC Voltmeter across
Power Supply terminals 4 and 5.

Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 7 Lab Manual

Figure 7-5
c) Measure and record the exciting current I1 and the output voltage E2 for each of the input
voltages listed in Table 7-1.
d) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.
10. a) Plot your recorded voltage values on the graph. Draw a smooth curve through your
plotted points.
b) Note that the magnetizing current increases rapidly after a certain input voltage has
been reached.
c) Was the voltage ratio between the two windings affected by the core saturation?
Explain.
Results/Findings:
E1
V
50
100
150
200
250
300
350

I1
mA ac

E2
V ac

Table 91
Discussion:
1. If the short-circuit current through secondary winding 9 to 6 were 0.5 A ac what would be
the current through the primary winding 1 to 2?
____________________ 1-2 = ____ A ac
2. If the secondary winding 7 to 8 is short-circuited and the primary winding 5 to 6 is
drawing 0,25 A ac
Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 7 Lab Manual

a} Calculate the short-circuit current through winding 7 to 8.
---------------------17-8 = _____ A ac
b} Why should these tests be performed as quickly as possible?
3. If 240 V ac were applied to winding 3 to 4, what would be the voltages across:
a} Winding 1 to 2 =
c} Winding 7 to 8 =

Vac
Vac

b} Winding 5 to 9 =
d} Winding 5 to 6 =

Vac
Vac

4. Which of the two windings in Procedure step 7 dissipates the most heat? Explain.
5. If 240 V ac were applied to winding 1 to 2 with winding 5 to 6 short-circuited,
a} What would be the current in each winding?
b) How much larger is this current than the normal value?
c) How much more heat than normal is generated in the winding under these conditions?

References:
1. Stephen J. Chapman, Electrical Machinery Fundamentals.
2. V.K. Mehta and Rohit Mehta, Principles of Electrical Machines.
[If you use any references (books/website) to answer the test your knowledge part, please
mention the proper references.]

Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)